Erica Mena is steadfastly defending herself in opposition to accusations of being racist amid backlash from her calling “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” forged member Spice a blue monkey throughout a heated argument.
Mena has beforehand spoken out in regards to the scenario, which aired throughout an episode of the present in August. She has claimed that producers used the explosive scene to spice up rankings and create extra buzz in regards to the long-running franchise.
In a current interview with actuality present producer Carlos King, she continued to face agency on that principle in addition to tackle her historical past with the controversial phrase.
She first started by admitting that monkey had been a selected insult of hers effectively earlier than her encounter with Spice. “It’s been utilized by me, however not as a result of I meant it in something racial,” she defined across the 12-minute mark of half 2 of her dialogue with King.
“I don’t even need to say the improper factor, as a result of I understand how delicate that is, and I need folks to know that even when I don’t have the suitable phrases to clarify it, I do know the injury” her phrases brought about, she advised King.
Amid an outcry from viewers, Mena was indefinitely suspended from the sequence. Weeks into the backlash, MTV additionally hosted a roundtable dialogue about racism and colorism with “LHHA” forged members. Mena was not invited to take part. She says what’s essential to her now could be making amends together with her supporters. “I do know that I disillusioned lots of people,” “The Stepmother” actress mentioned.
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When requested why it appeared as if the time period monkey solely got here up when coping with Black folks, Mena defined, “It’s only a coincidence, but it surely’s not that (racist intent) … I’ve positively referred to as my sister a monkey earlier than, and , like, it’s a phrase that I used to insult somebody or be playful, by no means with intention of being racial or that.”
“There’s not a racial bone in my physique,” mentioned Mena, who comes from a blended household within the melting pot of New York. Regardless of years of backlash for varied incidents on the present, the mannequin mentioned the blue monkey incident has been the largest studying lesson for her.
As she grew to become emotional across the 19:35 minute mark, she was adamant in stating, “I’m not racist, and I’m not a colorist, and I’m sorry to these individuals who I offended.” She refused to apologize to Spice, claiming the Jamaican artist was not bothered by the derogatory comment.
“We don’t need to respect or imagine her. She have to have her black children to respect her in the long term. By utilizing the phrase ‘monkey’ and wishing ‘dying’. It’s not okay as a mom,” learn a touch upon video.
A current episode of Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta confirmed a controversial argument between actuality star Erica Mena and Dancehall queen Spice.
Any Ideas?? 👀#EricaMena #Spice #Lovelytitv pic.twitter.com/qjNHvHyJCk
— lovelyti (@lovelyti) August 31, 2023
“Erica mentioned herself she’s skilled being round all cultures rising up, so she knew precisely what that ‘phrase’ meant to black folks,” wrote one other viewer. A 3rd said, “I nonetheless don’t hear the accountablity of her motion , talking out to the black group.”
Mena was beforehand married to “LHH” co-star Safaree Samuels for 3 years and separated for one when their divorce was finalized in September 2022. Collectively they share two kids.
In different Mena information, the fact star celebrated her thirty sixth birthday on Nov. 8 with a visit to Dubai.
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